I would normally respond only if I had first-hand experience with a place: let me emphasize that I don't. But, for what it's worth, two friends whose food-related opinions I value both disliked it. Tremendously.

Again, not my personal opinion. But their opinions were so strong, I thought they were worth sharing. These two friends -- who don't know each other -- both made a similar comment: perhaps we need to give the restaurant time. A lot of folks who didn't like Blue Smoke (another Manhattan BBQ) at the beginning now think it's really good.

This raises a question for the BBQ-savvy among you: do new pits need time to "mature?"

Regardless, I still plan on trying it soon. Maybe I'll see you there, Chumley.

Your friend's comments don't surprise me. I think any restaurant's kitchen needs time to work the kinks out. But seeing how this is Pearson's third or fourth time around the block, I'm hoping it doesn't take him too long. I enjoyed his place in Long Island City but I never got out to the Jackson Heights location.

I admit that I am one of the folks who was underwhelmed by Blue Smoke. My last visit was last February. Do you think it's gotten better since then? Maybe they're due for a re-try!

I hope you make it to Pearson's soon. I'd love to hear your impressions. I don't get south more than once a year so these outposts are quite important to me.

If you don't see me there in person, know that I'll be there in spirit!

Well, I finally got to Pearson's myself this month. I have to say, I wasn't too impressed.

Knowing that Brisket is what they do best, that's what I went for. It was acceptable but not nearly as good as what he was serving when he was in Long Island City. Not nearly enough smoke for my palette. Don't know why that is -- I saw Pearson there so the deficiencies can't be blamed on the Chef.

I didn't have service issues that Liuli had but I wouldn't say the service was anything to shout about, either.

So, now that I've tried the three allegedly "serious" Q-joints in NYC, my vote for number one is Daisy May's. Blue Smoke is a distant second, followed by the new Pearson's.